IC card, information processing terminal, and three-way data communication system and method

ABSTRACT

An IC card transmits data received from a card reading and writing apparatus to a portable terminal via an external interface without changing the received data, or after the received data is converted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data. Conversely, the IC card transmits data received from the portable terminal via the external interface to the card reading and writing apparatus via a non-contact interface without changing the received data, or after the received data is converted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data. Therefore, non-contact data communication can be performed between the information processing terminal connected to the IC card and the card reading and writing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card or IC chipwhich has a memory function for storing data and which is configuredsuch that data can be read from and written to the memory in anon-contact manner. More particularly, the present invention relates toa non-contact IC card or IC chip including a wireless interface forwireless data access to the memory function from an externalreader/writer and a wired interface for connection with an externaldevice, and relates to an information processing terminal such as acellular telephone, a PDA, or a personal computer connected to such anIC card via a wired interface or incorporating such an IC chip whenused.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a three-waycommunication system and method with an IC card or IC chip intermediatebetween a reading and writing apparatus for reading and writing datafrom and to the IC card or IC chip and an information processingterminal connected to such an IC card via a wired interface orincorporating such an IC chip when used. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a three-way communication system and method whichmakes use of an IC module having integration of a reading and writingapparatus which sends an electromagnetic-wave query signal and an ICcard which varies the load across an antenna thereof according to aresponse signal to the query signal so that a signal that appears in areceiving circuit of the reading and writing apparatus isamplitude-modulated for communication, the IC module being initiated asan IC card by electromagnetic wave detection and as a reading andwriting apparatus by a normal power-on operation.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Hitherto, a variety of apparatuses using a secret personal numberor a password for personal identity verification or authentication havebeen devised and put into practice. In banks or other financialinstitutions, for example, for using cash cards or credit cards, cashdispensers or other banking terminals prompt users to enter a secretpersonal number or a password for personal identity authentication, andcash cannot be deposited or withdrawn until it has been confirmed thatthe correct secret personal number or password was entered by the user.

[0006] A storage medium such as a magnetic stripe placed on one cashcard has only a single storage area for only the corresponding bank. Theabove-noted secret personal number or password entry merely allowsaccess to the single storage area, and may be insufficient forprotection against forgery or theft.

[0007] For anti-forgery purposes, the cash card or credit card is oftenimplemented as a contact IC card having an electric contact or anon-contact IC card for reading and writing data in a non-contact mannervia wireless data communication. IC card readers/writers installed in,for example, cash dispensers, at the entrances of concert halls, onstation ticket gates, and so on are able to access IC cards passedthereover by users in a non-contact manner.

[0008] A user enters a secret personal number to the reader of an ICcard reader/writer to verify the entered secret personal number againsta secret personal number stored in the IC card, thus realizing personalidentity verification or authentication between the IC card and the ICcard reader/writer. When personal identity verification orauthentication is successfully performed, for example, an applicationstored in the IC card can be used. The applications stored in an IC cardmay include, for example, that for amount information such as electronicmoney and electronic ticketing. (A secret personal number for use inaccessing an IC card is referred to as PIN (Personal IdentificationNumber).)

[0009] Recently, with the development of nanotechnology, IC cards havinga relatively large capacity of storage space have become commerciallyavailable and have become increasingly widespread. Since a traditionalcash card has only a single storage area, i.e., a single application,carried therein, it is necessary to carry a plurality of cards forvarious uses or applications. On the other hand, the above-noted IC cardhaving a large capacity memory can concurrently store a plurality ofapplications, and, therefore, a single IC card can be used for aplurality of applications. For example, more than one application usedfor electronic money for electronic payment, electronic tickets foradmission to designated concert halls, and so on can be stored on asingle IC card so as to use the single IC card in various applications.

[0010] An IC card includes not only a non-contact interface with a cardreader/writer (card reading and writing apparatus) but also an externalwired interface for connecting to an external device, and the IC cardcan be connected to or installed in an information processing terminalsuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or apersonal computer when used. (In many cases where the IC card isinstalled in the terminal, the IC card is formed into one chip. The ICcard and IC chip are hereinafter collectively referred to simply as an“IC card”.)

[0011] In such a case, a variety of application services using the ICcard can be performed on the information processing terminal. Forexample, a user interface such as a keyboard or a display on theinformation processing terminal can be used for user interaction withthe IC card on the information processing terminal. If the IC card isconnected to a cellular telephone, the content stored on the IC card canbe exchanged over a telephone line.

[0012] It is often advantageous if the IC card has two types ofinterfaces, i.e., the non-contact interface and the external wiredinterface. For example, an information processing terminal connected tothe external wired interface can perform non-contact data communicationwith a card reading and writing apparatus via the IC card.

[0013] Since non-contact data communication requires no manual operationsuch as connection of connectors, mechanical damage to the parts, suchas broken or worn connector pins due to repeated attachment anddetachment operations, does not occur.

[0014] As an example, it is assumed that a user carries a portableterminal with a built-in IC card, and a public terminal for distributingmusic or image content or game programs incorporates a card reading andwriting apparatus. Once the user passes the portable terminal over thecard reading and writing apparatus of the public terminal, non-contactdata communication is initiated between the card reading and writingapparatus and the portable terminal to download the desired content orprograms into the portable terminal.

[0015] However, there is no mechanism for performing data communicationbetween the information processing terminal connected to the IC card andthe card reading and writing apparatus.

[0016] Recent advances in the packaging technology have allowed an ICcard function and a card reading and writing apparatus to be integratedinto a single semiconductor chip. Such an IC chip is initiated as an ICcard by electromagnetic wave detection and as a reading and writingapparatus by a normal power-on operation.

[0017] There is also no data communication mechanism involving an ICmodule having such a reading and writing function integrated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a betternon-contact IC card or IC chip including a wireless interface forwireless data access to a memory function from an external reader/writerand a wired interface for connecting with an external device, and abetter information processing terminal connected to such an IC card viaa wired interface or incorporating such an IC chip when used.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a betterdata communication system and method in which non-contact datacommunication can be realized using an IC card.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a betterdata communication system and method in which desirable non-contact datacommunication can be realized between an information processing terminalconnected to an IC card and a card reading and writing apparatus.

[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a betterthree-way communication system with an IC card or IC chip intermediatebetween a reading and writing apparatus for reading and writing datafrom and to the IC card or IC chip and an information processingterminal connected to such an IC card via a wired interface orincorporating such an IC chip when used.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a betterthree-way communication system which makes use of an IC module havingintegration of a reading and writing apparatus which sends anelectromagnetic-wave query signal and an IC card which varies the loadacross an antenna thereof according to a response signal to the querysignal so that a signal that appears in a receiving circuit of thereading and writing apparatus is amplitude-modulated for communication,the IC module being initiated as an IC card by electromagnetic wavedetection and as a reading and writing apparatus by a normal power-onoperation.

[0023] The present invention has been made in order to overcome theaforementioned problems, and, in a first aspect of the presentinvention, an IC card includes:

[0024] a memory for storing predetermined information;

[0025] a control unit for controlling access to the memory;

[0026] a wireless communication unit for performing wirelesscommunication with a reading and writing apparatus which accesses thememory; and

[0027] an external interface for connecting to an information processingterminal external to a chip,

[0028] wherein, for communication with the reading and writing apparatusvia the wireless communication unit, data received from the reading andwriting apparatus is transmitted to the information processing terminalvia the external interface without changing the received data, or afterthe received data is converted according to an appropriate conversionscheme or is converted into other packet data.

[0029] In a second aspect of the present invention, an IC card includes:

[0030] a memory for storing predetermined information;

[0031] a control unit for controlling access to the memory;

[0032] a wireless communication unit for performing wirelesscommunication with a reading and writing apparatus which accesses thememory; and

[0033] an external interface for connecting to an information processingterminal external to a chip,

[0034] wherein, for communication with the reading and writing apparatusvia the wireless communication unit, data received from the informationprocessing terminal via the external interface is transmitted to thereading and writing apparatus via the wireless communication unitwithout changing the received data, or after the received data isconverted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or is convertedinto other packet data.

[0035] The wireless communication unit can vary a load across an antennathereof according to a response signal to a query signal from thereading and writing apparatus, so that a signal that appears in areceiving circuit of the reading and writing apparatus isamplitude-modulated for non-contact data communication.

[0036] According to the IC card in the first and second aspects of thepresent invention, data received from a card reading and writingapparatus can be transmitted to an information processing terminal viaan external interface without changing the received data, or after thereceived data is converted according to an appropriate conversion schemeor is converted into other packet data. Conversely, data received froman information processing terminal via an external interface can betransmitted to a card reading and writing apparatus via a non-contactinterface without changing the received data, or after the received datais converted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or isconverted into other packet data.

[0037] Accordingly, an information processing terminal incorporating theIC card according to the first and second aspects of the presentinvention can communicate data with a card reading and writing apparatusvia the IC card.

[0038] As an example, it is assumed that a user carries a portableterminal with a built-in IC card, and a public terminal for distributingmusic or image content or game programs incorporates a card reading andwriting apparatus. Once the user passes the portable terminal over thecard reading and writing apparatus of the public terminal, non-contactdata communication is initiated between the card reading and writingapparatus and the portable terminal to download the desired content orprograms into the portable terminal.

[0039] The control unit may cause the internal state, which changesaccording to the wireless communication with the reading and writingapparatus via the wireless communication unit, to be reported to theinformation processing terminal via the external interface.Alternatively, the control unit may cause the internal state, whichchanges according to the wireless communication with the reading andwriting apparatus via the wireless communication unit, to be reported tothe information processing terminal via a dedicated communication pathother than the external interface.

[0040] The information processing terminal can perform datacommunication with the reading and writing apparatus via the IC cardaccording to the reported internal state. For example, the informationprocessing terminal can perform data transmission when the IC card hasbecome ready for writing, and can perform data reception when the ICcard has become ready for reading.

[0041] In a third aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing terminal which is equipped with an IC chip for performingwireless communication with a reading and writing apparatus includes:

[0042] an external interface to which the IC chip is connected; and

[0043] a control unit for controlling the overall operation of theterminal,

[0044] wherein data is transmitted to or received from the IC chip viathe external interface according to the internal state of the IC chip.

[0045] The IC chip incorporated in the information processing terminalvaries a load across an antenna thereof according to a response signalto a query signal from the reading and writing apparatus, so that asignal that appears in a receiving circuit of the reading and writingapparatus is amplitude-modulated for non-contact data communication. TheIC chip can transmit data received from the reading and writingapparatus to the information processing terminal via the externalinterface without changing the received data, or after the received datais converted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or isconverted into other packet data. Conversely, the IC chip transmits datareceived from the information processing terminal via the externalinterface to the reading and writing apparatus via a non-contactinterface without changing the received data, or after the received datais converted according to an appropriate conversion scheme or isconverted into other packet data.

[0046] Accordingly, the information processing terminal according to thethird aspect of the present invention can communicate data with thereading and writing apparatus via the IC chip.

[0047] The information processing terminal according to the third aspectof the present invention may receive a report about the internal state,which changes according to the wireless communication with the readingand writing apparatus, from the IC chip via the external interface.Alternatively, the information processing terminal may receive a reportabout the internal state, which changes according to the wirelesscommunication with the reading and writing apparatus, from the IC chipvia a dedicated communication path other than the external interface.

[0048] Then, the control unit should receive data from the IC chip viathe external interface when the IC chip has become ready for reading.

[0049] The control unit should transmit data to the IC chip via theexternal interface when the IC chip has become ready for writing.

[0050] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a three-way datacommunication method with an IC card or IC chip intermediate between areading and writing apparatus for reading and writing data from and tothe IC card and an information processing terminal connected to the ICcard via a wired interface includes:

[0051] a step of causing the information processing terminal to querythe IC card as to the internal state and causing the IC card to respondto the query;

[0052] a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to poll theIC card;

[0053] a step of causing the IC card to receive polling and return aresponse to the reading and writing apparatus;

[0054] a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to use aservice provided by the IC card to communicate data in a non-contactmanner with the IC card to write the data to the IC card; and

[0055] a step of causing the information processing terminal to read thedata from the IC card in response to detection of completion of writingdata to the IC card by the query about the internal state of the ICcard.

[0056] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a three-way datacommunication method with an IC card or IC chip intermediate between areading and writing apparatus for reading and writing data from and tothe IC card and an information processing terminal connected to the ICcard via a wired interface includes:

[0057] a step of causing the information processing terminal to use aservice provided by the IC card to communicate data with the IC card towrite the data to the IC card;

[0058] a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to poll theIC card;

[0059] a step of causing the IC card to receive polling and return aresponse to the reading and writing apparatus after completion oftransaction with the information processing terminal; and

[0060] a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to use aservice provided by the IC card to read the data from the IC card inresponse to the response from the IC card.

[0061] According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the presentinvention, a data communication system can be achieved among threeparties: a card reading and writing apparatus, an IC card for exchangingdata with the card reading and writing apparatus via a non-contactinterface, and an information processing terminal connected to the ICcard via an external wired interface. This data communication system canrealize two operations, i.e., “downloading” data to the informationprocessing terminal from the card reading and writing apparatus via theIC card, and, conversely, “uploading” data from the informationprocessing terminal to the card reading and writing apparatus via the ICcard.

[0062] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a three-way datatransfer system, in which an IC module into which an IC card functionunit and a card reading and writing apparatus function unit areintegrated intermediates, for transferring data between an external cardreading and writing apparatus connected to the IC card function via awireless communication interface and an information terminal connectedto the IC module via a wireless communication interface is configuredsuch that the IC card operates in a wired communication mode in whichthe IC card reading and writing function unit is initiated in responseto activation of an internal power supply to transact with theinformation processing terminal, and operates in a wirelesscommunication mode in which the IC card function unit is initiated inresponse to detection of a carrier wave from the external card readingand writing apparatus to transact with the external card reading andwriting apparatus;

[0063] the IC card, which is in the wired communication mode, istemporarily switched to the wireless communication mode by an activatecommand, and is returned to the wired communication mode by aninactivate command; and

[0064] the IC card, which is in the wireless communication mode, istemporarily switched to the wired communication mode by a secondactivate command from the external card reading and writing apparatus,and is returned to the wireless communication mode by a secondinactivate command.

[0065] The term “system” refers to a logical set of apparatuses (orfunction modules for realizing specific functionality), regardless ofwhether or not the apparatuses or function modules are housed in asingle case.

[0066] According to the three-way data transfer system in the sixthaspect of the present invention, when the IC card operates in the wiredcommunication mode, first, the information processing terminal issues anactivate command to temporarily switch the IC card to the wirelesscommunication mode. Then, the external card reading and writingapparatus writes data to the IC card in the temporary wirelesscommunication mode. In response to completion of writing the data to theIC card, the information processing terminal issues an inactivatecommand to return the IC card to the wired communication mode to readthe data written in the IC card. Thus, the data can be transferred fromthe external card reading and writing apparatus to the informationprocessing terminal via the IC card.

[0067] According the three-way data transfer system in the sixth aspectof the present invention, furthermore, when the IC card operates in thewired communication mode, first, the information processing terminalwrites data to the IC card, and then issues an activate command totemporarily switch the IC card to the wireless communication mode. Then,the external card reading and writing apparatus reads the data from theIC card in the temporary wireless communication mode. In response tocompletion of reading the data from the IC card, the informationprocessing terminal issues an inactivate command to return the IC cardto the wired communication mode. Thus, the data can be transferred fromthe information processing terminal to the external card reading andwriting apparatus via the IC card.

[0068] According to the three-way data transfer system in the sixthaspect of the present invention, furthermore, when the IC card operatesin the wireless communication mode, first, the external card reading andwriting apparatus writes data to the IC card, and then issues a secondactivate command to temporarily switch the IC card to the wiredcommunication mode. Then, the information processing terminal reads thedata from the IC card in the temporary wired communication mode. Inresponse to completion of reading the data from the IC card, theexternal card reading and writing apparatus issues a second inactivatecommand to return the IC card to the wireless communication mode. Thus,the data can be transferred from the external card reading and writingapparatus to the information processing terminal via the IC card.

[0069] According to the three-way data transfer system in the sixthaspect of the present invention, furthermore, when the IC card operatesin the wireless communication mode, first, the external card reading andwriting apparatus issues a second activate command to temporarily switchthe IC card to the wired communication mode. Then, the informationprocessing terminal writes the data to the IC card in the temporarywired communication mode. In completion of writing the data to the ICcard, the external card reading and writing apparatus issues a secondinactivate command to return the IC card to the wireless communicationmode to read the data written in the IC card. Thus, the data can betransferred from the information processing terminal to the externalcard reading and writing apparatus via the IC card.

[0070] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following more detailed description takenin conjunction with embodiments of the present invention or withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of wireless communicationbased on electromagnetic induction between a card reading and writingapparatus and an IC card.

[0072]FIG. 2 is a model diagram of the combination of the card readingand writing apparatus and the IC card, which is considered as a singletransformer.

[0073]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configurationof an IC card 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074]FIG. 4 is a sequence chart for downloading data stored in a cardreading and writing apparatus via an IC card to an informationprocessing terminal connected thereto.

[0075]FIG. 5 is a sequence chart for uploading data from an informationprocessing terminal connected to an IC card to a card reading andwriting apparatus via the IC card.

[0076]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing in further detail the hardwareconfiguration of the IC card 100 having a reading and writing functionintegrated.

[0077]FIG. 7 is a chart showing the sequence of operations fortransmitting data from the external card reading and writing apparatusto the information processing terminal when the IC card 100 is initiatedin a wired communication mode.

[0078]FIG. 8 is a chart showing the sequence of operations fortransmitting data from the information processing terminal to theexternal card reading and writing apparatus when the IC card 100 isinitiated in a wired communication mode.

[0079]FIG. 9 is a chart showing the sequence of operations for three-waycommunication using commands of the IC card 100.

[0080]FIG. 10 is a chart showing the sequence of operations fortransmitting data from the external card reading and writing apparatusto the information processing terminal when the C card 100 is initiatedin a wireless communication mode.

[0081]FIG. 11 is a chart showing the sequence of operations fortransmitting data from the information processing terminal to theexternal card reading and writing apparatus when the IC card 100 isinitiated in a wireless communication mode.

[0082]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the configurationshown in FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0083] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detailbelow with reference to the drawings.

[0084] A. Basic Configuration of Non-contact Data Communication System

[0085] The present invention provides a non-contact data communicationsystem using an IC card, and, more specifically, the present inventionachieves desirable non-contact data communication between an informationprocessing terminal connected to the IC card and a card reading andwriting apparatus.

[0086] As an example, it is assumed that a user carries a portableterminal with a built-in IC card, and a public terminal for distributingmusic or image content or game programs incorporates a card reading andwriting apparatus. Once the user passes the portable terminal over thecard reading and writing apparatus of the public terminal, non-contactdata communication is initiated between the card reading and writingapparatus and the portable terminal to download the desired content orprograms into the portable terminal.

[0087] First, the structure of non-contact data communication between anIC card and a card reading and writing apparatus is described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0088] Wireless communication between a card reading and writingapparatus and an IC card is realized based on, for example, theprinciple of electromagnetic induction. FIG. 1 illustrates the conceptof wireless communication based on electromagnetic induction between thecard reading and writing apparatus and the IC card. The card reading andwriting apparatus includes an antenna L_(RW) formed of a loop coil forgenerating a magnetic field therearound by causing a current I_(RW) toflow in the antenna L_(RW). The IC card has a loop coil Lc electricallyformed around the IC card. An induced voltage caused by the magneticfield generated by the loop antenna L_(C) of the card reading andwriting apparatus is generated at ends of the loop coil L_(C) of the ICcard, and is input to terminals of the IC card that are connected to theends of the loop coil L_(C).

[0089] Although the degree of coupling of the antenna L_(RW) of the cardreading and writing apparatus and the loop coil L_(C) of the IC cardvaries depending upon the positional relationship therebetween, thecombination of the antenna L_(RW) and the loop coil L_(C) can beconsidered as a single transformer. The reading and writing operationfor the IC card can be therefore represented as the model shown in FIG.2.

[0090] In the card reading and writing apparatus, the current I_(RW)which flows to the antenna L_(RW) is modulated to modulate a voltage V₀induced in the loop coil L_(C) on the IC chip. The card reading andwriting apparatus can then use this mechanism to transmit data to the ICcard.

[0091] The IC card has a function (load switching) for varying the loadbetween the terminals of the loop coil L_(C) according to data to bereturned to the card reading and writing apparatus. When the loadbetween the terminals of the loop coil L_(C) varies, the impedancebetween the antenna terminals of the card reading and writing apparatuschanges, thus causing a change in the flowing current I_(RW) or voltageV_(RW) of the antenna L_(RW). The card reading and writing apparatusdemodulates this change so as to receive the data returned from the ICcard.

[0092] That is, the IC card varies the load across the antenna thereofaccording to a response signal to a query signal from the card readingand writing apparatus, so that the signal that appears in a receivingcircuit of the card reading and writing apparatus is amplitude-modulatedfor communication.

[0093] B. First Embodiment

[0094] An IC card according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is connected to a portable terminal such as a cellulartelephone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or an informationprocessing terminal such as a personal computer (PC) when used. For thispurpose, the IC card includes an external interface for connecting to anexternal device, in addition to a non-contact interface for connectingto a card reading and writing apparatus. In the following embodiment,the external interface is formed of a wired interface; however, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and the external interface maybe formed of a wireless interface.

[0095]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the hardware configuration of anIC card 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, the IC card 100 includes an antenna unit 101, an analogunit 102, a digital control unit 103, a memory 104, and an externalinterface 105.

[0096] The antenna unit 101 performs non-contact data transmission andreception to and from a card reading and writing apparatus (not shown).The analog unit 102 performs processing on an analog signal which istransmitted or received from the antenna unit 101, such as detection,modulation/demodulation, and clock extraction.

[0097] The digital control unit 103 totally controls processing onreceived data or data to be transmitted or other operations of the ICcard. The digital control unit 103 is locally connected with theaddressable memory 104, which can be used to store electronic money orelectronic ticketing applications, load a program code executed by thedigital control unit 103, or to save the working data in progress.

[0098] The external interface 105 is a function module for connectingthe digital control unit 103 to an external device, such as the portableterminal 110, according to an interface protocol different from that ofa non-contact interface for connecting to the card reading and writingapparatus (not shown). The data written in the memory 104 can betransferred to the portable terminal 110 via the external interface 105.

[0099] For communication with the card reading and writing apparatus,data received from the card reading and writing apparatus is transmittedto the portable terminal 110 via the external interface without changingthe received data, or after the received data is converted according toan appropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data.Conversely, data received from the portable terminal 110 via theexternal interface is transmitted to the card reading and writingapparatus via the non-contact interface without changing the receiveddata, or after the received data is converted according to anappropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data.

[0100] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the IC card 100 isinstalled in the portable terminal 110 when used, and the externalinterface 105 is implemented as a wired interface such as a UART or I²Cinterface (described below). The interface specification of the externalinterface 105 is not limited in particular, and any other wiredinterfaces than a UART or I²C interface, such as a SIM interface, may beused. A wireless interface such as a Bluetooth or IEEE.802.11b interfacemay also be used. The present invention is not limited to the case shownin FIG. 3 in which the IC card 100 is interfaced with the portableterminal 110, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, IC card functionmodules mounted on a single semiconductor chip may be installed in theportable terminal 110.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the IC card 100 and the portableterminal 110 are connected with each other via the external interface105 as well as a dedicated signal line 121. Upon detection of a changein the internal state of the IC card 100, the digital control unit 103can report this information to the portable terminal 110 via theexternal interface 105, or directly via the dedicated signal line 121without intermediation of the external interface 105. The “internalstate” used herein includes information indicating that the IC card 100becomes ready or not ready for data communication with the card readingand writing apparatus.

[0102] The IC card 100 can be driven by, for example, a reception wavereceived from the card reading and writing apparatus via the antennaunit 101. It is to be understood that a part or all components of the ICcard 100 may be driven by power supplied from the portable terminal 110.

[0103] The portable terminal 110 corresponds to, for example, aninformation processing terminal such as a cellular telephone, a PDA, ora personal computer (PC). The portable terminal 110 includes a programcontrol unit 111, a display unit 112, and a user input unit 113.

[0104] The program control unit 111 includes, for example, amicroprocessor, a RAM, and a ROM (these components are not shown in FIG.6), and the microprocessor uses the RAM for a work area to executevarious processing services according to a program code stored in theROM. The processing services include the original functions of theportable terminal 110, such as a cellular telephone function, andprocessing for the IC card 100. It is to be understood that the programcontrol unit 111 includes an external storage device such as a harddisk, and other peripheral devices.

[0105] The program control unit 111 can access the IC card 100 via theexternal interface 105.

[0106] In this embodiment, the program control unit 111 is directlyconnected to the IC card 100-2 via the dedicated signal line 121. Achange in the internal state of the IC card 100 is reported to theprogram control unit 111 using the dedicated signal line 121.

[0107] The display unit 112 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). For example, the display unit 112 can present theprocessing result of the program control unit 111 on a screen fornotifying the user.

[0108] The user input unit 113 is formed of a keyboard, a jog dial, or atouch panel laid on the display screen of the display unit 112, and isused for a user to input commands or data to the portable terminal 110.

[0109] The program control unit 111 of the portable terminal 110 isdriven by power fed from a main power supply (not shown), such as abattery.

[0110] When a user of the portable terminal 110 with the IC card 100installed therein passes the portable terminal 110 over a predeterminedcard reading and writing apparatus, wireless communication is initiatedbetween the IC card 100 and the card reading and writing apparatus, sothat data is exchanged between the digital unit 103 and the card readingand writing apparatus via the antenna unit 101 and the analog unit 102,which serve as a wireless interface.

[0111] Each time data is exchanged, the internal state, such as acommunication phase between the digital control unit 103 and the cardreading and writing apparatus, changes. In this embodiment, a specificaddress of the memory 104 locally connected to the digital control unit103 is assigned to a status flag indicating the internal state.

[0112] The digital control unit 103 directly reports the change incontent of the status flag to the program control unit 111 of theportable terminal 110 via the external interface 105 or the dedicatedsignal line 121.

[0113] The program control unit 111 executes processing corresponding tothe reported internal state. For example, the internal state isexpressed on the display unit 112 by an icon indicating “communicationin progress”, a dialog for prompting user input is opened, anapplication corresponding to the internal state is enabled, telephoneline connection is performed (in a case of cellular telephone), oraccess to a LAN or an external network such as the Internet isinitiated. Furthermore, when the portable terminal 110 is connected to atelephone network or a network, data communicated between the IC card100-2 and the card reading and writing apparatus can be transmitted to ahost on the network, or, conversely, data downloaded from the host canbe transmitted to the card reading and writing apparatus via the IC card100-2.

[0114]FIG. 4 shows the sequence of actions for downloading data storedin the card reading and writing apparatus via the IC card to theinformation processing terminal connected thereto.

[0115] For example, when an IC card activating application starts on theinformation processing terminal, an Activation message is sent to the ICcard via an external wired interface, and the IC card returns a responseto this message.

[0116] Then, the information processing terminal repeatedly sends amessage (Request Status) which queries the internal state to the IC cardvia the external interface, and the IC card responds to this message.

[0117] On the other hand, the card reading and writing apparatusconstantly polls the IC card of the IC card using a non-contactinterface. When receiving and recognizing polling, the IC card returns aresponse to the card reading and writing apparatus.

[0118] On receipt of the response from the IC card, the card reading andwriting apparatus in turn sends a service request message (RequestService) to the IC card and the IC card returns the supported servicecontent.

[0119] The card reading and writing apparatus then uses the serviceprovided by the IC card to perform non-contact data communication withthe IC card. For example, the card reading and writing apparatus readsdata from the IC card, writes data to the IC card, and so on.

[0120] During data communication with the card reading and writingapparatus, the IC card constantly updates the internal state. Forexample, the IC card becomes ready or not ready for reading, ready ornot ready for writing, and so on. In the IC card, a specific address ofan internal memory space is assigned for indication of the internalstate (described above).

[0121] The information processing terminal connected to the IC card viathe external wired interface continues to query the internal state ofthe IC card (described above). When the IC card detects completion ofthe transaction (that is, data downloading) with the card reading andwriting apparatus, the information processing terminal sends a servicerequest message (Request Service) to the IC card and the IC card returnsthe supported service content.

[0122] The information processing terminal sends a read request messageto the IC card, thus enabling the data written in the IC card to be reador downloaded from the card reading and writing apparatus. Theinformation processing terminal may send a write request message to theIC card.

[0123] When the sequence of actions for downloading data from the ICcard is completed, the information processing terminal sends aDiactivation message to the IC card, and receives a response to thismessage from the IC card. Then, this process ends.

[0124]FIG. 5 shows the sequence of actions for uploading data from theinformation processing terminal connected to the IC card to the cardreading and writing apparatus via the IC card.

[0125] For example, when an IC card activating application starts on theinformation processing terminal, an Activation message is sent to the ICcard via an external wired interface.

[0126] Upon receipt of a response from the IC card, the informationprocessing terminal in turn sends a service request message (RequestService) to the IC card and the IC card returns the supported servicecontent.

[0127] The information processing terminal then uses the serviceprovided by the IC card to perform data communication with the IC cardvia the external wired interface. For example, the informationprocessing terminal reads data from the IC card, writes data to the ICcard, and so on. The information processing terminal writes to the ICcard data to be uploaded to the card reading and writing apparatus.

[0128] On the other hand, the card reading and writing apparatusconstantly polls the IC card of the IC card using a non-contactinterface. After activation by the information processing terminal, theIC card does not respond to polling and puts the card reading andwriting apparatus on standby until the transaction with the informationprocessing terminal is completed.

[0129] When the transaction with the IC card is completed, theinformation processing terminal enables the IC card to respond topolling. Then, the information processing terminal repeatedly sends amessage (Request Status) to the IC card via the external interface whichqueries the internal state.

[0130] When the response to polling has been enabled, the IC cardrecognizes polling from the card reading and writing apparatus, andreturns the response to the card reading and writing apparatus.

[0131] Upon receipt of the response from the IC card, the card readingand writing apparatus in turn sends a service request message (RequestService) to the IC card and the IC card returns the supported servicecontent.

[0132] The card reading and writing apparatus then uses the serviceprovided by the IC card to perform non-contact data communication withthe IC card. In this case, upload data written in the IC card is read bythe information processing terminal.

[0133] During data communication with the card reading and writingapparatus, the IC card constantly updates the internal state.

[0134] The information processing terminal continues to query theinternal state of the IC card (described above). When the IC carddetects completion of the transaction (that is, data uploading) with thecard reading and writing apparatus, the information processing terminalsends a Diactivation message to the IC card, and receives a response tothis message from the IC card. Then, this process ends.

[0135] The IC card stores a micro-command, which includes a sequence ofdownloading or uploading steps shown in FIG. 4 or 5, in, for example, aninternal ROM 42 or EEPROM 43 of a data processor 40.

[0136] C. Second Embodiment

[0137] Recent advances in the packaging technology have allowed an ICcard function and a card reading and writing apparatus to be integratedinto a single semiconductor chip. Such an IC chip is initiated as an ICcard by electromagnetic wave detection and as a reading and writingapparatus by a normal power-on operation.

[0138] A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to athree-way communication system using an IC module in which the IC cardfunction and card reading and writing apparatus function are integrated.

[0139]FIG. 6 illustrates the hardware configuration of an IC card 100having a reading and writing function integrated. As shown in FIG. 6,the IC card 100 includes a card function unit 30 corresponding to theanalog unit 102, a data processor 40 corresponding to the digitalcontrol unit 103, the memory 104, and the external interface 105, and acard reader/writer 50.

[0140] In the card function unit 30, a carrier wave received by anantenna 32 is rectified by a rectifier 31, and is then supplied to asignal processor 44 of the data processor 40 and to a logical circuit 38via a serial regulator 33.

[0141] The logical circuit 38 controls a voltage from the serialregulator 33 so that a desired power voltage V_(DD) for use in the ICcard 100 is supplied.

[0142] The serial regulator 33 maintains an output voltage substantiallyconstant, regardless of an input voltage. Specifically, the serialregulator 33 increases the internal impedance when the input voltage ishigh, and decreases the internal impedance when the input voltage islow, thus making it possible to maintain the voltage.

[0143] A voltage detector 39 monitors the output terminal voltage of anexternal power supply (such as a battery) connected to the logicalcircuit 38 to output a signal for prohibiting use of the external powersupply to the logical circuit 38 when the voltage of the external powersupply is below a predetermined voltage.

[0144] In the card function unit 30, an electric wave input from theantenna 32 is further checked by a carrier wave detector 34 to determinewhether or not the received wave contains a carrier wave. If itcontains, a carrier wave detection signal VR is output to the logicalcircuit 38. The logical circuit 38 can also output to the data processor40 a signal indicating that a carrier wave has been detected.

[0145] A clock extractor 35 extracts clock from the electric wave inputfrom the antenna 32, and supplies it to a clock selector 36. A clockoscillator 37, which is formed of, for example, a crystal oscillatorexternal to the IC card 100, generates clock of a driving frequency foruse in the IC card 100, and supplies it to the clock selector 36. Theclock selector 36 selects one of the clock supplied from the clockextractor 35 and the clock supplied from the clock oscillator 37, andsupplies the selected clock to the components of the IC card 100.

[0146] The card reader/writer 50 includes a transmission amplifier 51, areceived signal detector 53, a reception amplifier/filter 54, andtransmission and reception antennas 52 and 55.

[0147] For data transmission, a transmission signal (query signal),which has been subjected to modulation and D/A conversion by the signalprocessor 44 of the data processor 40 so as to be up-converted into ananalog baseband signal, is sent from the antenna 51 via the transmissionamplifier. A signal (response signal) received from the antenna 52 isdetected by the received signal detector 53, and is amplified by thereception amplifier 54 before being supplied to the signal processor 44.The signal processor 44 down-converts the signal into an analog basebandsignal, which is then subjected to D/A conversion and demodulation,thereby reproducing digital data.

[0148] The card reading and writing operation between the IC card andthe card reading and writing apparatus has been previously describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0149] The data processor 40 includes the above-noted signal processor44, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 45, a DES (Data Encryption Standard)engine 46, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) 47, a RAM (Random AccessMemory) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, an EEPROM (ElectricallyErasable and Programmable ROM) 43, a UART interface 48, and an I²Cinterface 49. These components are connected with each other via aninternal bus.

[0150] The CPU 45 serves as a main controller for controlling theoverall operation of the IC card 100 to execute, for example, a programcode stored in the ROM 42 (or the EEPROM 43) under the control of theoperating system (OS). For example, the CPU 45 executes an applicationregarding data which is transmitted or received via the card functionunit 30 or the card reader/writer 40.

[0151] The signal processor 44 performs processing on data to betransmitted via the card function unit 30 or the card reader/writer 40,including modulation, D/A conversion, and up-conversion, and alsoperforms processing on received data, including down-conversion, A/Dconversion, and demodulation.

[0152] The DES engine 46 encodes and decodes data, which is transmittedor received via the card function unit 30 or the card reader/writer 40,using open-source secret key encoding.

[0153] The CRC 47 performs cyclic redundancy checks on data received viathe card function unit 30 or the card reader/writer 40.

[0154] The UART 48 and the I²C interface 49 form external wiredinterfaces for connecting the IC card 100 to external devices such as acellular telephone, a PDA, and a personal computer. The UART (Universalasynchronous receiver transmitter) 48 has functions of converting aparallel signal in a computer into a serial signal, and converting aserial signal into a parallel signal.

[0155] The RAM 41 is a rewritable memory device, and the CPU 41 uses theRAM 41 as a work area to execute a program. Since the memory spaceprovided by the RAM 41 is addressable, the CPU 41 or the devices on theinternal bus can access this memory space.

[0156] The EEPROM 43 is a non-volatile memory device for storing data inan electrically erasable manner. In this embodiment, the EEPROM 43 orthe RAM 41 is used for carrying electronic money or an electronicticket, or any other IC-card-specific application or service.

[0157] In this embodiment, the CPU 45 receives a report of carrier wavedetection from the card function unit 30 (described above). The CPU 45which processes data to be transmitted or received data via the signalprocessor 44 controls the internal state of the IC card 100 according toa communication phase.

[0158] A specific address of the memory space extended on the RAM 41 orthe EEPRPM 43 is assigned to an internal status flag indicating whetheror not a carrier wave has been detected (that is, the communicationstate) or indicating the internal state of the IC card 100. The CPU 45updates setting details of the internal status flag according to achange in the communication state or the internal state.

[0159] An external device connected via an external wired interface,such as the UART 48 or the I²C interface 49, can also access theinternal status flag on the RAM 41 or the EEPROM 43 to recognize thecommunication state or the internal state of the IC card 100.

[0160] In this embodiment, the primary functions of the data processor40 are to, when the card function unit 30 communicates with a cardreading and writing apparatus (not shown), transmit data received fromthe card reading and writing apparatus to a portable terminal via anexternal interface without changing the received data, or after thereceived data is converted according to an appropriate conversion schemeor is converted into other packet data, and, conversely, to transmitdata received from a portable terminal via an external interface to thecard reading and writing apparatus via a non-contact interface withoutchanging the received data, or after the received data is convertedaccording to an appropriate conversion scheme or is converted into otherpacket data. The card reading and writing apparatus is, for example, apublic terminal for downloading program or content data.

[0161] In this embodiment, the IC card 100 is configured such that thecard function unit 30 is initiated in response to detection of a carrierwave from an external card reading and writing apparatus and the cardreader/writer 50 is initiated in response to activation of an internalpower supply. The IC card 100 has also a “wired communication mode” fortransacting with an information processing terminal (not shown) via awired interface such as a UART interface, and a “wireless communicationmode” for transacting with an external card reading and writingapparatus via a non-contact interface based on electromagneticinduction.

[0162] The data communication system according to this embodiment isformed of three parties: a card reading and writing apparatus, an ICcard for exchanging data with the card reading and writing apparatus viaa non-contact interface, and an information processing terminalconnected to the IC card via an external wired interface. The datacommunication system realizes two operations, i.e., “downloading” datato the information processing terminal from the card reading and writingapparatus via the IC card, and, conversely, “uploading” data from theinformation processing terminal to the card reading and writingapparatus via the IC card.

[0163] C-1. Overview of Three-way Communication

[0164] Signal lines (UART serving as a wired interface, POW_ON forcontrolling the internal power supply, IBO3 indicating the state ofthree-way communication, and URO for outputting carrier wave detection)for use in three-way communication using a non-contact interfaceaccording to this embodiment realize the following three functions:

[0165] (1) data transfer from the external card reading and writingapparatus to the information processing terminal via the card functionunit 30 (192 bytes);

[0166] (2) data transfer from the information processing terminal to theexternal card reading and writing apparatus via the card function unit30 (192 bytes); and

[0167] (3) access to the EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100 from both theexternal card reading and writing apparatus and the informationprocessing terminal.

[0168] In order to realize the above functions, in addition to standardcommands, the following commands are added:

[0169] Activate command for temporarily switching from the wiredcommunication mode to the wireless communication mode;

[0170] Inactivate command for returning the wireless communication modeenabled by the Activate command to the wired communication mode;

[0171] Activate 2 command for temporarily switching from the wirelesscommunication mode to the wired communication mode by this command fromthe external card reading and writing apparatus;

[0172] Inactivate 2 command for returning the temporarily enabled wiredcommunication mode to the wireless communication mode by this commandfrom the external card reading and writing apparatus;

[0173] Push command for sending data to the IC card in the wired andwireless communication modes;

[0174] Pull command for taking out data from the IC card in the wiredand wireless communication modes; and

[0175] Get Status command for taking out an action flag, which is set bythe Activate or Activate 2 command.

[0176] The fundamental operation of three-way communication after the ICcard 100 is initiated is as follows:

[0177] (1) In a case where the IC card 100 is initiated by operating thepower supply control line (POW_ON) using the internal controller:

[0178] When the IC card 100 is initiated by POW_ON and operates in thewired communication mode, the IC card 100 is not able to performwireless communication via the card reader/writer 50. In this situation,when data is to be transferred from the external card reading andwriting apparatus to the information processing terminal via the IC card100, the following procedure is performed:

[0179] {circle over (1)} First, an Activate command is issued by theinformation processing terminal to the IC card 100 via a wired interfacesuch as a UART interface. Then, the IC card is enabled for three-waycommunication, and waits for a command from the external card readingand writing apparatus.

[0180] {circle over (2)} Then, the external card reading and writingapparatus sends data to the IC card 100 using a Push command whichfollows Polling and Get Status commands. In response, the IC card 100waits for a command from the information processing terminal via thewired interface.

[0181] {circle over (3)} When the information processing terminal issuesan Inactivate command to the IC card 100, communication via the wirelessinterface is prohibited. Then, the information processing terminalissues a Pull command to take in the data.

[0182] Accordingly, data transfer from the external card reading andwriting apparatus to the information processing terminal via the IC card100 can be realized. When data is to be transferred from the informationprocessing terminal to the external card reading and writing apparatusvia the IC card 100, the following procedure is performed:

[0183] {circle over (1)} First, an Activate command which follows a Pushcommand is issued by the information processing terminal to the IC card100 via a wired interface such as a UART interface. In response, the ICcard 100 is enabled for three-way communication, and waits for a commandfrom the external card reading and writing apparatus.

[0184] {circle over (2)} Then, the external card reading and writingapparatus sends data to the IC card 100 using a Pull command whichfollows Polling and Get Status commands. In response, the IC card 100waits for a command from the information processing terminal via thewired interface.

[0185] {circle over (3)} The information processing terminal issues anInactivate command to the IC card 100.

[0186] Accordingly, data transfer from the information processingterminal to the external card reading and writing apparatus via the ICcard 100 can be realized.

[0187] The Push command and the Pull command are used to exchangeplaintext data which is not encoded. Secret or confidential datatransfer requires encoding.

[0188] When a series of operations by the external card reading andwriting apparatus is completed, the IC card 100 switches the IBO3terminal to the low state for notification. This signal triggers theinformation processing terminal connected via the wired interface toissue an Inactivate command to terminate three-way communication.

[0189] Other than the above-described data transfer using the Push andPull commands, existing commands of the non-contact interface can beused to access the service memory (EEPROM 43) during three-waycommunication. For example, a PIN is disabled from the informationprocessing terminal. When the external card reading and writingapparatus accesses a PIN-disabled service or area, the informationprocessing terminal disables the PIN via the wired interface using aWrite w/o Encription command, and issues an Activate command to enablethree-way communication, after which the external card reading andwriting apparatus accesses the PIN-disabled service or area via thewireless interface using a standard command.

[0190] (2) In a case where the IC card 100 is initiated by theelectromagnetic field (query signal) of the external card reading andwriting apparatus:

[0191] When the IC card 100 is initiated by a carrier wave from theexternal card reading and writing apparatus and operates in the wirelesscommunication mode, typically, the IC card 100 is not able tocommunicate with the information processing terminal via a wiredinterface such as a UART interface. In this situation, when data is tobe transferred from the external card reading and writing apparatus tothe information processing terminal via the IC card 100, the followingprocedure is performed:

[0192] {circle over (1)} First, the external card reading and writingapparatus continues to send data to the IC card 100 using a Pushcommand, and issues an Activate 2 command. In response, the IC card 100is enabled for three-way communication, and waits for a command from theinformation processing terminal via the wired interface.

[0193] {circle over (2)} Then, the information processing terminalissues a Pull command which follows a Get Status command to the IC card100 to receive the data. In response, the IC card 100 is disabled forthree-way communication, and waits for a command from the external cardreading and writing apparatus.

[0194] Accordingly, data transfer from the external card reading andwriting apparatus to the information processing terminal can berealized. When data is to be transferred from the information processingterminal to the external card reading and writing apparatus via the ICcard 100, the following procedure is performed:

[0195] {circle over (1)} First, the external card reading and writingapparatus issues an Activate 2 command. In response, the IC card 100 isenabled for three-way communication, and waits for a command from theinformation processing terminal via a wired interface such as a UARTinterface.

[0196] {circle over (2)} Then, the information processing terminalissues a Push command which follows a Get Status command to the IC card100 to receive the data. In response, the IC card 100 is disabled forthree-way communication, and waits for a command from the external cardreading and writing apparatus.

[0197] {circle over (3)} Then, the external card reading and writingapparatus issues a Pull command to the IC card 100.

[0198] Accordingly, data transfer from the information processingterminal to the external card reading and writing apparatus can berealized. Similarly to the case where the IC card 100 is initiated bythe power control line (POW_ON) (described above), since the Pushcommand and the Pull command are used to exchange plaintext data whichis not encoded, when secret or confidential data transfer or thetransaction with the external card reading and writing apparatus iscompleted, the IC card 100 switches the IBO3 terminal to the low statefor notification. This signal triggers the information processingterminal to issue an Inactivate command to terminate three-waycommunication.

[0199] C-2. Method of Using Three-Way Communication when the IC Card IsInitiated in the Wired Communication Mode

[0200] The IC card 100 according to this embodiment operates in the“wired communication mode” in which the card reader/writer 50 isinitiated in response to activation of an internal power supply totransact with an information processing terminal (not shown) via a wiredinterface such as a UART interface (described above). In this section, amethod of using three-way communication when the IC card 100 isinitiated in the wired communication mode is described in detail.

[0201] C-2-1. Data Transfer from the External Card Reading and WritingApparatus to the Information Processing Terminal

[0202]FIG. 7 shows a sequence of actions for transmitting data from theexternal card reading and writing apparatus to the informationprocessing terminal when the IC card 100 is initiated in the wiredcommunication mode.

[0203] (1) When the information processing terminal issues an Activatecommand to the IC card 100 after the IC card 100 is initiated, the ICcard 100 waits for a command from the external card reading and writingapparatus. In this situation, the commands which can be received by theIC card 100 from the external card reading and writing apparatus arePolling, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

[0204] (2) A Get Status command is issued by the external card readingand writing apparatus.

[0205] (3) Based on a response to the Get Status command, the externalcard reading and writing apparatus determines whether or not data can betransmitted to the information processing terminal, and issues a Pushcommand to write the data to the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100.

[0206] (4) After the Push command has been issued, the IC card 100switches the IBO3 terminal to the low level to send a terminationnotice. The IC card 100 returns the corresponding response to theexternal card reading and writing apparatus, and is then able to receivecommands from the information processing terminal via a wired interfacesuch as a UART interface.

[0207] (5) When detecting the termination notice from the IC card 100,the information processing terminal issues an Inactivate command toprohibit communication from the external card reading and writingapparatus to the IC card 100.

[0208] (6) When receiving the Inactivate command, the IC card 100returns the IBO3 terminal to the high level, and sends a response backto the Inactivate command.

[0209] (7) The information processing terminal issues a Pull command toread the content written in the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100.

[0210] The information processing terminal can shut off power supply ofthe IC card 100 (switch POW_ON to the low state) under the specifictimeout control without waiting for completion detection. Next time theIC card 100 is initiated, the IBO3 terminal is initialized to the highlevel.

[0211] C2-2. Data Transfer from the External Card Reading and WritingApparatus to the Information Processing Terminal

[0212]FIG. 8 shows a sequence of actions for transmitting data from theinformation processing terminal to the external card reading and writingapparatus when the IC card 100 is initiated in the wired communicationmode.

[0213] (1) After the IC card 100 is initiated, the informationprocessing terminal issues a Push command to write the data to the RAM41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100.

[0214] (2) When the information processing terminal issues an Activatecommand, the IC card 100 waits for a command from the external cardreading and writing apparatus. In this situation, the commands to bereceived by the IC card 100 from the external card reading and writingapparatus are Polling, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

[0215] (3) The external card reading and writing apparatus issues thegET Status command in order to confirm the request from the informationprocessing terminal.

[0216] (4) Based on a response to the Get Status command, the externalcard reading and writing apparatus determines whether or not data can bereceived from the information processing terminal, and then issues aPull command to read the data written in the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 of theIC card 100.

[0217] (5) After the Pull command has been issued, the IC card 100switches the IBO3 terminal to the low level. The IC card 100 returns thecorresponding response to the external card reading and writingapparatus, and is then able to receive commands from the informationprocessing terminal via a wired interface such as a UART interface.

[0218] (6) When detecting a termination notice, the informationprocessing terminal issues an Inactivate command to prohibitcommunication from the outside to the IC card 100.

[0219] (7) When receiving the Inactivate command, the IC card 100returns the IBO3 terminal to the high level, and then sends a responseback to the Inactivate command.

[0220] The information processing terminal can shut off power supply ofthe IC card 100 (switch POW_ON to the low state) under the specifictimeout control without waiting for completion detection. Next time theIC card 100 is initiated, the IBO3 terminal is initialized to the highlevel.

[0221] C-2-3. Use of Commands of the IC Card 100 During Three-wayCommunication

[0222]FIG. 9 shows a sequence of actions for three-way communicationusing commands of the IC card 100.

[0223] (1) Mutual authentication is performed between a higher-levelserver and the IC card 100, if necessary.

[0224] (2) After the IC card 100 is initiated, the informationprocessing terminal accesses a desired service via a wired interfacesuch as a UART interface using a wired access subcommand such as Read orWrite.

[0225] (3) If mutual authentication was performed, the mode is returnedto mode 0 by a Read Mode command. Alternatively, the POW_ON terminal isswitched to the low level to power off the IC card 100, and the POW_ONterminal is switched again to the high level to initiate the IC card100, resulting in a similar mode.

[0226] (4) Then, when an Activate command is issued, the IC card 100waits for a command from the external card reading and writingapparatus. In this situation, the IC card 100 receives an arbitrarycommand from the external card reading and writing apparatus.

[0227] (5) Mutual authentication is performed between the external cardreading and writing apparatus and the IC card 100, if necessary.

[0228] (6) A Read command, a Write command, or the like is issued by theexternal card reading and writing apparatus, thus allowing access to atarget service.

[0229] (7) When a Push or Pull command is issued by the external cardreading and writing apparatus, the IC card 100 can send a terminationnotice to the information processing terminal. The conditions oftermination are set by an action flag (in this case, the Push or Pullcommand can be used for data transfer: the Push or Pull command in caseof no data transfer is a dummy command for termination notice). When atermination notice is not sent, the information processing terminal canforcibly terminate the three-way communication by the IC card 100 underits own timeout control or, if the VRO terminal is in the low level,which indicates that carrier waves from the external card reading andwriting apparatus are no longer detected, using a VRO signal. Next timethe IC card 100 is initiated, the IBO3 terminal is initialized to thehigh level.

[0230] When a keyed service is accessed during three-way communication,if the Push or Pull command is not used for termination notice, the modeis still maintained as mode 1 or higher after mutual authentication.This situation is undesirable for security management, and appropriatemeans, such as timeout processing, shutdown of power supply after use,and VRO monitoring, is preferably used to prevent such a situation fromcontinuing for a long time.

[0231] C-3. Method of Using Three-Way Communication when the IC Card IsInitiated in the Wireless Communication Mode

[0232] The IC card 100 according to this embodiment operates in the“wireless communication mode” in which the card function unit 30 isinitiated in response to detection of a carrier wave (query signal) fromthe external card reading and writing apparatus to transact with anexternal card reading and writing apparatus (not shown) via a wirelessinterface (described above). In this section, a method of usingthree-way communication when the IC card 100 is initiated in thewireless communication mode is described in detail.

[0233] C-3-1. Data Transfer from the External Card Reading and WritingApparatus to the Information Processing Terminal

[0234]FIG. 10 shows a sequence of actions for transmitting data from theexternal card reading and writing apparatus to the informationprocessing terminal when the IC card 100 is initiated in the wirelesscommunication mode.

[0235] (1) After the IC card 100 is initiated, the external card readingand writing apparatus issues a Push command to the IC card 100 to writethe data to the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100.

[0236] (2) Then, the external card reading and writing apparatus issuesan Activate 2 command. In response, the IC card 100 switches the IBO3terminal to the low level to notify completion of data writing. The ICcard 100 returns a response to the Activate 2 command, and then waitsfor a command from the information processing terminal via a wiredinterface such as a UART interface. In this situation, the commands tobe received by the IC card 100 from the information processing terminalare Get Manufacture ID, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

[0237] (3) A Get Status command is issued by the information processingterminal in order to confirm the request from the external card readingand writing apparatus.

[0238] (4) When it is determined, based on a response to the Get Statuscommand, that data should be received from the external card reading andwriting apparatus, the information processing terminal issues a Pullcommand to read the content of the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card100.

[0239] (5) The IC card 100 returns a response to the Pull command to thecontroller, and then waits for a command from the wireless interface.

[0240] (6) The external card reading and writing apparatus issues anInactivate 2 command to prohibit the wired communication by the IC card100. The Inactivate 2 command may be issued immediately after theActivate 2 command was issued, but confirmation of termination isenabled when the Inactivate 2 command has successfully responded.

[0241] (7) After receiving the Inactivate 2 command, the IC card 100returns the IBO3 terminal to the high level, and then sends a responseback to the Inactivate 2 command.

[0242] C-3-2. Data Transfer from the Information Processing Terminal tothe External Card Reading and Writing Apparatus

[0243]FIG. 11 shows a sequence of actions for transmitting data from theinformation processing terminal to the external card reading and writingapparatus when the IC card 100 is initiated in the wirelesscommunication mode.

[0244] (1) After the IC card 100 is initiated, the external card readingand writing apparatus issues an Activate 2 command to the IC card 100.In response, the IC card 100 switches the IBO3 terminal to the low levelto report to the information processing terminal that the IC card 100has become ready for reading data in three-way communication. The ICcard 100 returns a response to the Activate 2 command, and then waitsfor a command from the information processing terminal via a wiredinterface such as a UART interface. In this situation, the commands tobe received by the IC card 100 from the information processing terminalare Get Manufacture ID, Get Status, and Push or Pull.

[0245] (2) A Get Status command is issued by the information processingterminal in order to confirm the request of the external card readingand writing apparatus.

[0246] (3) Based on a response to the Get Status command, the externalcard reading and writing apparatus determines whether or not data can betransmitted, and then issues a Push command to write the data to the RAM41 or EEPROM 43 of the IC card 100.

[0247] (4) The IC card 100 returns a response to the Push command to theinformation processing terminal, and then waits for a command from thewireless interface.

[0248] (5) The external card reading and writing apparatus issues anInactivate 2 command to prohibit the wired communication by the IC card100. The Inactivate 2 command may be issued immediately after theActivate 2 command was issued, but confirmation of termination isenabled when the inactivate 2 command has successfully responded.

[0249] (6) After receiving the Inactivate 2 command, the IC card 100returns the IBO3 terminal to the high level, and then sends a responseback to the Inactivate 2 command.

[0250] (7) Then, the external card reading and writing apparatus issuesthe IC card 100 to read the data stored in the RAM 41 or EEPROM 43 ofthe IC card 100.

Appendix

[0251] The present invention has been described in detail with referenceto specific examples. However, it is obvious that modifications orreplacements may be made to the embodiment by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The present invention has been disclosed in an exemplary form, and thisform should not be construed as the restricted one. Reference should bemade to the claims for delineation of the scope of the presentinvention.

Industrial Applicability

[0252] According to the present invention, there can be provided abetter non-contact IC card or IC chip including a wireless interface forwireless data access to a memory function from an external reader/writerand a wired interface for connecting with an external device, and abetter information processing terminal connected to such an IC card viaa wired interface or incorporating such an IC chip when used.

[0253] According to the present invention, furthermore, there can beprovided a better data communication system and method in whichnon-contact data communication can be realized using an IC card.

[0254] According to the present invention, furthermore, there can beprovided a better data communication system and method in whichdesirable non-contact data communication can be realized between aninformation processing terminal connected to an IC card and a cardreading and writing apparatus.

[0255] According to the IC card of the present invention, data receivedfrom a card reading and writing apparatus can be transmitted to aninformation processing terminal via an external interface withoutchanging the received data, or after the received data is convertedaccording to an appropriate conversion scheme or is converted into otherpacket data. Conversely, data received from an information processingterminal via an external interface can be transmitted to a card readingand writing apparatus via a non-contact interface without changing thereceived data, or after the received data is converted according to anappropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data.Accordingly, an information processing terminal incorporating the ICcard according to the present invention can communicate data with thecard reading and writing apparatus with the IC card.

[0256] According to the present invention, furthermore, there can beprovided a better three-way communication system with an IC card or ICchip intermediate between a reading and writing apparatus for readingand writing data from and to the IC card or IC chip and an informationprocessing terminal connected to such an IC card via a wired interfaceor incorporating such an IC chip when used.

[0257] According to the present invention, furthermore, there can beprovided a better three-way communication system which makes use of anIC module having integration of a reading and writing apparatus whichsends an electromagnetic-wave query signal and an IC card which variesthe load across an antenna thereof according to a response signal to thequery signal so that a signal that appears in a receiving circuit of thereading and writing apparatus is amplitude-modulated for communication,the IC module being initiated as an IC card by electromagnetic wavedetection and as a reading and writing apparatus by a normal power-onoperation.

1. An IC card comprising: a memory for storing predeterminedinformation; a control unit for controlling access to the memory; awireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with areading and writing apparatus which accesses the memory; and an externalinterface for connecting to an information processing terminal externalto a chip, wherein, for communication with the reading and writingapparatus via the wireless communication unit, data received from thereading and writing apparatus is transmitted to the informationprocessing terminal via the external interface without changing thereceived data, or after the received data is converted according to anappropriate conversion scheme or is converted into other packet data. 2.An IC card comprising: a memory for storing predetermined information; acontrol unit for controlling access to the memory; a wirelesscommunication unit for performing wireless communication with a readingand writing apparatus which accesses the memory; and an externalinterface for connecting to an information processing terminal externalto a chip, wherein, for communication with the reading and writingapparatus via the wireless communication unit, data received from theinformation processing terminal via the external interface istransmitted to the reading and writing apparatus via the wirelesscommunication unit without changing the received data, or after thereceived data is converted according to an appropriate conversion schemeor is converted into other packet data.
 3. An IC card according to claim1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication unit varies a load across anantenna thereof according to a response signal to a query signal fromthe reading and writing apparatus, so that a signal that appears in areceiving circuit of the reading and writing apparatus isamplitude-modulated for communication.
 4. An IC card according to claim1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes an internal state, which changesaccording to the wireless communication with the reading and writingapparatus via the wireless communication unit, to be reported to theinformation processing terminal via the external interface.
 5. An ICcard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes aninternal state, which changes according to the wireless communicationwith the reading and writing apparatus via the wireless communicationunit, to be reported to the information processing terminal via adedicated communication path other than the external interface.
 6. Aninformation processing terminal which is equipped with an IC chip forperforming wireless communication with a reading and writing apparatus,said information processing terminal comprising: an external interfaceto which the IC chip is connected; and a control unit for controllingthe overall operation of the terminal, wherein data is transmitted to orreceived from the IC chip via the external interface according to aninternal state of the IC chip.
 7. An information processing terminalaccording to claim 6, wherein the internal state, which changesaccording to the wireless communication with the reading and writingapparatus, is reported from the IC chip via the external interface. 8.An information processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein theinternal state, which changes according to the wireless communicationwith the reading and writing apparatus, is reported from the IC chip viaa dedicated communication path other than the external interface.
 9. Aninformation processing terminal according to claim 6, wherein thecontrol unit receives data from the IC chip via the external interfacewhen the IC chip has become ready for reading.
 10. An informationprocessing terminal according to claim 6, wherein the control unittransmits data to the IC chip via the external interface when the ICchip has become ready for writing.
 11. A three-way data communicationmethod with an IC card or IC chip intermediate between a reading andwriting apparatus for reading and writing data from and to the IC cardand an information processing terminal connected to the IC card via awired interface, said three-way data communication method comprising: astep of causing the information processing terminal to query the IC cardas to an internal state and causing the IC card to respond to the query;a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to poll the IC card;a step of causing the IC card to receive polling and return a responseto the reading and writing apparatus; a step of causing the reading andwriting apparatus to use a service provided by the IC card tocommunicate data in a non-contact manner with the IC card to write thedata to the IC card; and a step of causing the information processingterminal to read the data from the IC card in response to detection ofcompletion of writing the data to the IC card by the query about theinternal state of the IC card.
 12. A three-way data communication methodwith an IC card or IC chip intermediate between a reading and writingapparatus for reading and writing data from and to the IC card and aninformation processing terminal connected to the IC card via a wiredinterface, said three-way data communication method comprising: a stepof causing the information processing terminal to use a service providedby the IC card to communicate data with the IC card to write the data tothe IC card; a step of causing the reading and writing apparatus to pollthe IC card; a step of causing the IC card to receive polling and returna response to the reading and writing apparatus after completion oftransaction with the information processing terminal; and a step ofcausing the reading and writing apparatus to use a service provided bythe IC card to read the data from the IC card in response to theresponse from the IC card.
 13. A three-way data transfer system, inwhich an IC module into which an IC card function unit and a cardreading and writing apparatus function unit are integratedintermediates, for transferring data between an external card readingand writing apparatus connected to the IC card function via a wirelesscommunication interface and an information terminal connected to the ICmodule via a wireless communication interface, wherein the IC cardoperates in a wired communication mode in which the IC card reading andwriting function unit is initiated in response to activation of aninternal power supply to transact with the information processingterminal, and operates in a wireless communication mode in which the ICcard function unit is initiated in response to detection of a carrierwave from the external card reading and writing apparatus to transactwith the external card reading and writing apparatus; the IC card, whichis in the wired communication mode, is temporarily switched to thewireless communication mode by an activate command, and is returned tothe wired communication mode by an inactivate command; and the IC card,which is in the wireless communication mode, is temporarily switched tothe wired communication mode by a second activate command from theexternal card reading and writing apparatus, and is returned to thewireless communication mode by a second inactivate command.
 14. Athree-way data communication system according to claim 13, wherein, fordata transfer from the external card reading and writing apparatus tothe information processing terminal via the IC card when the IC card isin the wired communication mode, the information processing terminalissues the activate command to temporarily switch the IC card to thewireless communication mode, the external card reading and writingapparatus writes data to the IC card in the temporary wirelesscommunication mode, and the information processing terminal issues theinactivate command to return the IC card to the wired communication modeto read the data written in the IC card in response to completion ofwriting the data to the IC card.
 15. A three-way data communicationsystem according to claim 13, wherein, for data transfer from theinformation processing terminal to the external card reading and writingapparatus via the IC card when the IC card is in the wired communicationmode, the information processing terminal writes data to the IC card,and then issues the activate command to temporarily switch the IC cardto the wireless communication mode, the external card reading andwriting apparatus reads the data from the IC card in the temporarywireless communication mode, and the information processing terminalissues the inactivate command to return the IC card to the wiredcommunication mode in response to completion of reading the data fromthe IC card.
 16. A three-way data communication system according toclaim 13, wherein, for data transfer from the external card reading andwriting apparatus to the information processing terminal via the IC cardwhen the IC card is in the wireless communication mode, the externalcard reading and writing apparatus writes data to the IC card, and thenissues the second activate command to temporarily switch the IC card tothe wired communication mode, the information processing terminal readsthe data from the IC card in the temporary wired communication mode, andthe external card reading and writing apparatus issues the secondinactivate command to return the IC card to the wireless communicationmode in response to completion of reading the data from the IC card. 17.A three-way data communication system according to claim 13, wherein,for data transfer from the information processing terminal to theexternal card reading and writing apparatus via the IC card when the ICcard is in the wireless communication mode, the external card readingand writing apparatus issues the second activate command to temporarilyswitch the IC card to the wired communication mode, the informationprocessing terminal writes the data to the IC card in the temporarywired communication mode, and the external card reading and writingapparatus issues the second inactivate command to return the IC card tothe wireless communication mode to read the data written in the IC cardin response to completion of writing the data to the IC card.
 18. Athree-way data transfer method, in which an IC module into which an ICcard function unit and a card reading and writing apparatus functionunit are integrated intermediates, of transferring data between anexternal card reading and writing apparatus connected to the IC cardfunction via a wireless communication interface and an informationterminal connected to the IC module via a wireless communicationinterface, wherein the IC card operates in a wired communication mode inwhich the IC card reading and writing function unit is initiated inresponse to activation of an internal power supply to transact with theinformation processing terminal, and operates in a wirelesscommunication mode in which the IC card function unit is initiated inresponse to detection of a carrier wave from the external card readingand writing apparatus to transact with the external card reading andwriting apparatus, the three-way data transfer method comprising: a stepof causing the IC card, which is in the wired communication mode, to betemporarily switched to the wireless communication mode by an activatecommand; a step of causing the IC card to be returned to the wiredcommunication mode by an inactivate command; a step of causing the ICcard, which is in the wireless communication mode, to be temporarilyswitched to the wired communication mode by a second activate commandfrom the external card reading and writing apparatus; and a step ofcausing the IC card to be returned to the wireless communication mode bya second inactivate command.
 19. A three-way data communication methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising: for data transfer from theexternal card reading and writing apparatus to the informationprocessing terminal via the IC card when the IC card is in the wiredcommunication mode, a step of causing the information processingterminal to issue the activate command to temporarily switch the IC cardto the wireless communication mode; a step of causing the external cardreading and writing apparatus to write data to the IC card in thetemporary wireless communication mode; and a step of causing theinformation processing terminal to issue the inactivate command toreturn the IC card to the wired communication mode to read the datawritten in the IC card in response to completion of writing the data tothe IC card.
 20. A three-way data communication system according toclaim 18, further comprising: for data transfer from the informationprocessing terminal to the external card reading and writing apparatusvia the IC card when the IC card is in the wired communication mode, astep of causing the information processing terminal to write data to theIC card and then issue the activate command to temporarily switch the ICcard to the wireless communication mode; a step of causing the externalcard reading and writing apparatus to read the data from the IC card inthe temporary wireless communication mode; and a step of causing theinformation processing terminal to issue the inactivate command toreturn the IC card to the wired communication mode in response tocompletion of reading the data from the IC card.
 21. A three-way datacommunication method according to claim 18, further comprising: for datatransfer from the external card reading and writing apparatus to theinformation processing terminal via the IC card when the IC card is inthe wireless communication mode, a step of causing the external cardreading and writing apparatus to write data to the IC card and thenissue the second activate command to temporarily switch the IC card tothe wired communication mode; a step of causing the informationprocessing terminal to read the data from the IC card in the temporarywired communication mode; and a step of causing the external cardreading and writing apparatus to issue the second inactivate command toreturn the IC card to the wireless communication mode in response tocompletion of reading the data from the IC card.
 22. A three-way datacommunication method according to claim 18, further comprising: for datatransfer from the information processing terminal to the external cardreading and writing apparatus via the IC card when the IC card is in thewireless communication mode, a step of causing the external card readingand writing apparatus to issue the second activate command totemporarily switch the IC card to the wired communication mode; a stepof causing the information processing terminal to write data to the ICcard in the temporary wired communication mode; and a step of causingthe external card reading and writing apparatus to issue the secondinactivate command to return the IC card to the wireless communicationmode to read the data written in the IC card in response to completionof writing the data to the IC card.